Cameron Smith has been lauded as an NRL icon, as the Melbourne skipper prepares to play his 300th match against Penrith on Friday night.
When Smith runs out at AAMI Park he will be just the 24th player to achieve the feat and only the 10th to reach the mark having represented only one team.
And with his latest contract extension running until the end of the 2018 season, the 32-year-old veteran is a good chance of surpassing former Queensland and Australian teammate Darren Lockyer, who with 355 games holds the record for the most in NRL history and most for one club.
“Cameron is an icon of our game, a great leader and a wonderful role model,” NRL boss Dave Smith said on Friday.
“As Melbourne, Queensland and Australian captain; as a Premiership, State of Origin and World Cup champion; Dally M medallist; Golden Boot winner and RLIF Player of the Year, there is little in the game Cameron hasn’t achieved.
“The NRL is very lucky to have people of Cameron’s calibre play Rugby League, but his impact goes well beyond the field of play.
“He is an outstanding ambassador who regularly goes above and beyond to help those less advantaged than himself.”
Smith will be out to steer the Storm to a vital win, after they’ve suffered defeat in their last four games to put their place in the last eight in jeopardy.
Halfback Cooper Cronk warned on Thursday that Melbourne need to focus on winning rather than getting caught up in the emotion of his long-term teammate’s milestone.
“The best way to celebrate is to go out and do your job,” Cronk said.
“I’ll be lacing those boots up as tight as I normally do and going out and doing my job for Cameron on Friday night.”
THE 300 CLUB:
355 – Darren Lockyer – Brisbane (1995-2011)
350 – Terry Lamb – Wests, Canterbury (1980-1996)
349 – Steve Menzies – Manly, Northern Eagles (1993-2008)
336 – Brad Fittler – Penrith, Sydney Roosters (1989-2004)
332 – Cliff Lyons – Norths, Manly (1985-1999)
330 – Nathan Hindmarsh – Parramatta (1998-2012)
328 – Andrew Ettingshausen – Cronulla (1983-2000)
325 – Geoff Gerard – Parramatta, Manly, Penrith (1974-1989)
318 – Jason Croker – Canberra (1991-2006)
317 – Hazem El Masri – Bulldogs (1996-2009)
315 – Paul Langmack – Canterbury, Wests, Easts (1983-1999)
315 – Luke Priddis – Canberra, Brisbane, Penrith, St George Illawarra (1997-2010)
313 – Steve Price – Bulldogs, Warriors (1994-2009)
313 – Brent Kite – St George Illawarra, Manly, Penrith (2002-)
312 – Ruben Wiki – Canberra, Warriors (1993-2008)
312 – Corey Parker – Brisbane (2001-)
309 – Petero Civoniceva – Brisbane, Penrith (1998-2012)
307 – Brett Kimmorley – Newcastle, Hunter, Melbourne, N Eagles, Cronulla, Canterbury (1995-2010)
302 – Anthony Minichiello – Sydney Roosters (2000-2014)
302 – Anthony Watmough – Northern Eagles, Manly, Parramatta (2002-)
301 – Luke Ricketson – Sydney Roosters (1991-2005)
300 – Scott Prince – North Queensland, Brisbane, Wests Tigers, Gold Coast (1998-2013)
300 – John Morris – Newcastle, Parramatta, Wests Tigers, Cronulla (2001-2014)
299 – Cameron Smith – Melbourne (2002-)
